Latest news with #MattelShop
4 days ago
- Entertainment
Barbie celebrates Venus Williams' equal pay advocacy with Inspiring Women Doll
The $38 doll will be available at Mattel Shop starting Aug. 15. 1:31 Tennis legend Venus Williams, who's known for a historic fight for equal pay, is now being honored with her own Barbie Inspiring Women doll. Barbie announced Wednesday it will celebrate the seven-time Grand Slam champion and gender equality advocate with a collectible doll modeled after her 2007 Wimbledon victory look, featuring an all-white outfit paired with a green gem necklace, wristband, racket and tennis ball. In 2005, Williams met with French Open and Wimbledon officials, demanding equal pay for female players and publicly calling the tournaments being on the "wrong side of history" in a personal essay for The Times in 2006. Her advocacy led to both events awarding equal prize money by 2007, with Williams becoming the first woman to benefit when she won Wimbledon that year. "A champion both on and off the court, Williams made history in 2007 by demanding equal prize money for women in professional tennis, paving the way for future generations of female athletes to pursue their dreams without limits," Barbie said in a statement. "Just as Barbie remains dedicated to inspiring limitless possibilities, Venus's bravery and commitment to gender equality continues to inspire people around the world – both in sports and beyond." The doll will retail for $38 at Mattel Shop starting Aug. 18, with Barbie Club 59 members getting early access on Aug. 15, according to a press release. This May, Williams was also among nine female athletes made into Barbie dolls to celebrate the brand's 65th anniversary. "Throughout my career, I've always been driven by the idea of shattering glass ceilings and staying true to myself, and Barbie's mission couldn't resonate more deeply with that ethos," Williams said in a press release at the time. "I'm honored to be recognized as a sports role model and join forces with Team Barbie to continue empowering the next generation of young girls to never stop believing in their dreams."
USA Today
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
How to buy new Venus Williams Barbie, part of the inspiring women collection
The "Barbie Inspiring Women Series" continues to honor courageous women who have taken risks, changed the rules, and paved the way for generations of girls to dream big. Tennis icon Venus Williams will be honored with her own doll, available beginning August 15 at the Mattel Shop. Williams collaborated with the brand to create a Barbie that reflects her appearance and wears the uniform she donned during her 2007 Grand Slam tournament win at Wimbledon, where she advocated for equal pay for male and female singles winners. Williams has also campaigned against the broader issue of the gender pay gap, particularly for women of color, and her efforts have raised awareness. She encourages women to advocate for themselves and to recognize their worth. 'Growing up, I was taught early on that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance. That belief has guided me to break barriers and use my platform to champion causes like equal pay — not just for myself, but for those who come after me," Williams said. "Being honored as a Barbie Inspiring Woman is incredibly special. I hope this doll encourages young people to dream big, know their worth, and pursue their goals with confidence and heart.' More: Barbie releases dolls inspired by Alicia Keys, women in the music industry Where to purchase Venus Williams Barbie The Venus Williams Barbie doll will be available for purchase on the Mattel Shop starting Aug. 15. This doll comes with a green gem necklace inspired by the accessories she wore during her 2007 Wimbledon victory, as well as a wristband, a tennis racket, and a ball, for $38. Barbie Club 59 members can purchase the doll starting a 9 p.m. ET on Aug. 14. Barbie Club 59 is a premium membership for members of Mattel Creations for $9.99 a year, offering access to members-only dolls, priority windows for select public sales, confidential Barbie content and the opportunity to vote on the design of new dolls and other Barbie products.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Anna Sui Gets a Barbie Doll Named After Her
Anna Sui will be getting her own Barbie doll named after her. In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month, Mattel Inc.'s Barbie will honor Sui with an Inspiring Women Barbie doll. The doll will be available for pre-sale on Mattel Shop and for $35, starting Thursday. More from WWD Anna Sui Exhibition Is Heading to the Phoenix Art Museum The Originals: How Anna Sui Became the Gen Z Fashion Whisperer Zooey Deschanel Goes Mod in 1960s-inspired Anna Sui Dress for 'Harold and the Purple Crayon' Los Angeles Premiere Barbie's Inspiring Women series pays tribute to courageous women who took risks, changed rules and paved the way for generations of girls to dream bigger than ever before. Sui began her fashion career as a student at Parsons School of Design in New York, and started designing clothes out of her New York apartment. In 1991, she introduced her first collection, which quickly gained a devoted, global following with its blend of rock 'n' roll and romanticism. She has been awarded the CFDA Perry Ellis Award for New Fashion Talent and the CFDA Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. The designer is a first-generation Chinese American born in Detroit, and joins other women in the Inspiring Women series such as Jane Goodall, Maya Angelou, Helen Keller, Eleanor Roosevelt, Billie Jean King, Ella Fitzgerald, Florence Nightingale, Susan B. Anthony, Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo, Rosa Parks and Sally Ride. Barbie worked closely with Sui to create a doll that reflects her likeness. Her star-print dress and chunky heeled boots take their cue from a look in Sui's 2007 collection. The jet-black jewelry are her personal signature pieces, and her sunglasses are from her spring 2025 collection. Her nails are painted bright green, Sui's favorite color, from the Anna Sui Cosmetics nail polish collection. The doll also includes a miniaturized perfume bottle of her Anna Sui Classic Eau de Toilette. 'Having a Barbie doll in my likeness inducted to the Barbie Inspiring Women series is such a meaningful and full-circle moment,' said Sui. 'I've been a Barbie fan since childhood, and dressing Barbie played a pivotal role in igniting my passion for fashion. I spent countless hours designing looks for my dolls with fabric scraps left over from my mom's sewing projects — it was creative outlet that encouraged me to follow my dreams. I know my younger self would be incredibly proud of how far I've come, and I hope my doll inspires fans to embrace curiosity, nurture their creativity and dream without limits,' she said. In further celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, the Barbie Dream Gap Project, a global mission dedicated to closing the gap by challenging gender stereotypes and helping undo the biases that hold girls back from reaching their full potential, will donate to APEX for Youth in partnership with Sui. Through programming focused on health and well-being, education and community engagement, their volunteers support and mentor students of all ages to build the next generation of tomorrow's change makers. Best of WWD A Look Back at Prince William and Kate Middleton's Royal Wedding Beyoncé's Tour Outfits: From 'Cowboy Carter' to 'Dangerously in Love' and More Photos Savannah James' Style Through the Years: LeBron James' Wife's Fashion Evolution [PHOTOS]
